The Top 10 Riders to Watch at the 2012 Tour of Spain

Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)

10 / 10

Spain’s Alejandro Valverde has won four stages at the Tour de France and five at the Vuelta. In 2009, he came up big and won the Vuelta overall. Then came a two-year suspension for his involvement in the Operation Puerto doping scandal, and so he missed the 2010 and 2011 seasons. At this year’s Tour he won a stage but never really figured in the general-classification battle, as he’d expected to, riding into Paris 20th overall. At this Vuelta, Valverde is a wildcard for the win, and there are plenty of uphill stage finishes that suit his characteristics. He’s a safe bet for a stage victory or two, and a possible contender for the points jersey, which is weighted in favor of the climbers at the Vuelta.